International students will be temporarily allowed to work longer hours in aged care because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Student visa holders are capped at 20 hours of work a week but that restriction has been relaxed in the sector with international borders remaining shut.
The federal government will extend the arrangement and widen eligibility to student visa holders who started working in aged care after September 8.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said international students were providing an important workforce.
"While the vaccination program means we are seeing fewer hospitalisations and deaths, our workforce continues to be placed under pressure because of COVID-19," he said on Monday.
"Many aged care workers, nurses and other staff have been working at a higher intensity during the pandemic."
All aged care workers will be required to have at least one coronavirus vaccination to remain in their job from September 17.
